Mushroomhead - Bring their show to the capital!!!

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The evolution of Mushroomhead!!!

Mushroomhead **** I have always been a fan of Mushroomhead, but I have to say in recent years I have got very confused with all the line-up changes. I really don't know which members I am going to see in the band from one day to the next. But I have to say whatever members they have in the band, it doesn't seem to effect the live show that much. Mushroomhead all seem to know how to put on a great show, so it's always worth going to see them. Ok it has been a few years since they last played in the UK, because of Covid-19's and the lockdowns that have been happening all over the World. 

The line-up changes for the European tour are vocalist Jason “J Mann” Popson (Rap / Harsh Vocals) is currently sitting out from touring with the band, and VentanA‘s Scott Beck has taken his place in the band. Sampler Rick “St1tch” Thomas (Samples / Electronics / Keyboards / Percussion) is also said to be absent from the band’s current tours, so he can focus on his upcoming haunted house attraction. Hopefully we will give you more information on that shortly, we like all things spooky. Furthermore, Jackie LaPonza (Vocals) and Tom “Tankx” Shaffner (Guitar) have both exited the band. Joe “Jenkins” Gaal (Guitar) has replaced Tankx and Aydin Michael (Samples / Electronics / Keyboards / Percussion) appears to be filling in for St1tch. Yes! all very confusing, I know I get confused.

They open up the set with the 2021 single 'A Requiem for Tomorrow', which is an amazing track and shows Mushroomhead off at their best. Sadly because of the state of the World, I think not as many people got to hear it as normal. But this still got half a million views on YouTube, showing their is a lot of interest around the World for the band. This is shown by the next song in the bands set 'Seen it All' which has almost four and a half million views, this is an anthem of a song and one of #the best moments in the bands set. I think this is a song Mushroomhead will be playing for years to come in their live set, other great moments include when the singers go into the crowd to get connected with the audience. 

Watch! the Video for 'Seen it All' Below...

And my two of my favourite songs 'Qwerty' and 'Sun doesn't Rise', both very popular songs for the band and both of these don't disappoint tonight. Vocalist Steve Rauckhorst who has now earned his full time place in the band, works well with new vocalist Scott Beck, they have a real connection together and on these two songs it is shown the best in the bands set. What is great about tonight's set is that they have included songs from all era's of Mushroomhead, so fans of any album get what they want. It's great to hear early songs like 'Solitaire / Unraveling', 'Bwomp', and 'Before I Die', I remember hearing these on their Ozzfest festival dates years ago and they are equally as good live now.

The great thing about Mushroomhead is the tightness, and musicianship and their use of timing some in sync and some out... but everything done on purpose. They also know how to command a stage, and they know how to connect to an audience and give everyone what they want. No one is ever disappointed at a Mushroomhead show, and you always get a few surprises and don't know what to expect next. Well I have learned to try and guess, because Skinny always tries to get me with a bucket of water. I have learned over the years to duck, and hide... meaning he has not got me in a while. You always get a little wet from the water drums, but no buckets where present in London... to my relief.

A nice edition to the bands set is 'Empty Spaces', their cover of the classic Pink Floyd song. I have heard this song done live before, and they do really justice to the Prog Rock legends. One of the low points of the set for me is hardly seeing Steve "Skinny" Felton the co / founding member of Mushroomhead, he is normally a striking figure on the drums at the back of the stage. But he only seems to be a looming - onlooking figure at the side of the stage that only seems to come on for very small sections of time to hit the water drums, which is a real shame because we all want to see more of him more.

I really love Mushroomhead and they have influenced so many major Metal / Rock bands around at the moment, which they really don't get the credit they deserve for doing this and sometimes overlooked. This really needs to change, because Mushroomhead are a very important band to all the genres they cross over into. Ok I have to admit I do miss J Mann and Jeremy Nothing at points in the perfromance, but the new members really do justice to the music... so I would still advise you go and see them. And don't let this put you off going, because the live show is still amazing. There are a few problems at the venue tonight, which have led to a lot of people not being happy, but I don't want to get into that. Because we are hear to talk about the music and Mushroomhead's performance, which I really enjoyed. Looking forward to more tours by them in 2023 and hopefully new music, including the new members.

Review by Dan Devour and Photo's by Dan Devour and Dezadie

Mushroomhead - Setlist
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A Requiem for Tomorrow 
Seen it All
Our Apologies
Qwerty
Sun doesn't Rise
Solitaire / Unraveling
12 Hundred 
43
Kill Tomorrow
Destroy the World around Me
Before I Die
Bwomp
The Flood
The Dream is Over
Empty Spaces (Pink Floyd Cover)
Born of Desire

Check Out! the Video for 'A Requiem for Tomorrow' Below...